Ocean IA: Transforming Whale Protection in French Polynesia

Published Date : 22-07-2025 

Since 2017, the OCEANIA association has been dedicated to studying and protecting whales and dolphins in French Polynesia. Their latest project, Ocean IA, combines advanced technology with marine conservation to prevent whale collisions in the Polynesian waters. 

Since 2017, the association OCEANIA has set out to study and protect the whales and dolphins of French Polynesia. Last Saturday, it presented an innovative project to Emmanuel Valls, Minister of Overseas Territories, blending technology and marine conservation: Ocean IA.

Every year, humpback whales leave the icy waters of Antarctica, rich in plankton and krill, for the more favorable Polynesian waters for reproduction. The lagoons and passes, shallow and protected, allow mothers to give birth and nurse their calves sheltered from currents and predators, notably orcas.

However, many residents and tourists transit daily between Tahiti and its neighboring island Moorea, where the Oceania association is based: maritime traffic between these two islands accounts for over 90% of Polynesian archipelago traffic. The risk of collision with whales is therefore very high, especially since ships navigating in these cetacean-favored zones have little room for maneuver.

Ocean IA is a continuation of the Ocean Watch program, initiated by Oceania in 2024. This program deploys human observers on ferries between Tahiti and Moorea to alert on the presence of cetaceans. It is based on a dual foundation: technology and collaboration. On one side, intelligent land-based cameras deployed on the heights of Tahiti and Moorea identify in real-time the jumps, blows, fins, or tails of whales in the passes of Papeete and Vaiare. On the other, there is active cooperation with shipowners and maritime services to define and experiment with effective automatic alert protocols.

Marine Mammal Observers remain mobilized, and the captains are involved in technical choices (alert channels, reception methods). This is a rare setup in the field of marine conservation, where AI is often limited to data collection without immediate action. Oceania also focuses on public education, notably through the Whale Alert app, turning each passenger or sailor into a potential observer.

The project enjoys strong institutional support, particularly from the European Union (via the Best Life 2030 program) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). It is in a pilot phase until November 2026, but its foundations, technological simplicity, local anchoring, and multi-stakeholder involvement, lay the groundwork for a methodology that can be replicated for other species or sensitive areas.

However, several uncertainties remain: its ability to scale, notably through the installation of onboard sensors on ships, as well as the sustainability of funding after the test period despite its potential. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main goal of the Ocean IA project?

A: The main goal of the Ocean IA project is to prevent collisions between whales and ships in the waters of French Polynesia by using advanced technology and real-time alerts.

Q: How does Ocean IA detect the presence of whales?

A: Ocean IA uses intelligent land-based cameras deployed on the heights of Tahiti and Moorea to identify in real-time the jumps, blows, fins, or tails of whales in the passes of Papeete and Vaiare.

Q: What is the role of human observers in the Ocean Watch program?

A: Human observers in the Ocean Watch program are deployed on ferries between Tahiti and Moorea to alert on the presence of cetaceans and help prevent collisions.

Q: Who is supporting the Ocean IA project?

A: The Ocean IA project is supported by the European Union (via the Best Life 2030 program) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Q: What is the Whale Alert app used for?

A: The Whale Alert app is used to educate the public and turn each passenger or sailor into a potential observer, helping to monitor whale activity and prevent collisions. 

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